I have been working on a healthier lifestyle since October 2002. I dont follow a specific diet but I do try to control portions and only eat when I am truly hungry rather than because something looks good or because I'm happy, sad, mad, bored, etc. I also started exercising which I've never really done in the past. Slowly but surely I'm losing but lately the scale has moved next to nothing. I dont think I have lost a lb in a month! It gets discouraging especially when I have friends following all kinds of different diets which forbid certain foods and they are losing a large amount very quickly. Makes it tempting to try the same yet I told myself back when I started that I would do nothing that I could not continue for a lifetime. Sooo anyway, to try to inspire myself I went back and found where I wrote down my measurements in November then took them today to compare. Thought I'd share them here. I realize 9 months is a long time to only lose 42 lbs but I keep reminding myself that it could have just as easily gone the other direction right??

Ok here they are:

Nov 10, 2002 July 4, 2003

waist 45 in waist 40.5 in
hips 53.5 hips 47.25 in
chest 46 chest 43 in
thighs 27.5 thighs 24.5
calves 17.5 calves 16
upper arm 15 upper arm 13.5
lower arms 12 lower arm 11

Seeing those do make me feel a little better!

MIKI

Hmmm....I didnt type that altogether like that. Wonder what happened to my spaces?

Miki,

You should be really proud of yourself!!! 42 pounds is not a small amount, and it was in the right direction. Plus, you're doing it the right way, so it will stay off. That's also something to be proud of.

You're making positive lifetime changes and even if the scale isn't moving, you're feeling better and should be proud of that. Dont' let the scale get you down, just keep doing what you're doing and be proud of yourself.

Hi Miki,

I think 42 lb. in 9 months is excellent. And over 20 in. I'm glad to hear you're doing so well. We started at about the same time but I got stalled at the 25 lb. mark. For the last 6 months I've been working on the same 4 lb. over and over again. Time to get serious again.

I know you've been working really hard at continuing to lose weight and the plateaus can be really frustrating. But you're doing this the right way and only making changes that are for life. Sometimes I think you just have to wait for your body to adjust to your weight loss. Keep doing what you're doing and pay more attention to the inches than to the scale and I know you will start losing again. You are doing great!!

Chris

Thanks Mthrgoose and Chris for the encouraging words! I appreciate them very much.

Chris, you're right, we did start about the same time. We actually started out on the same thread. Remember? Cool running into you again!

Miki

Hi mik, I been working on this since april 2000 and have lost 60 pounds so far. 45 in nine months is fantastic. I also take measurements about once a month and write them on a calandar. I have been stuck at 260-265 for several months but just recently I got a little friend to motivate me to excercise more. I got myself a dog and now we are walking several days a week for at least 2.5 miles. If I don't want to go for a walk I just look at her and remend myself she needs it too. It is our quality time after work every day to tak a long walk on the geourgous montur trail. A rails to trails project in my area. It is so beautiful that I find myself looking forward to it now and on top of that I'v lost 5 pounds and 3 inches in the past month!
perhaps we can all keep ecouraging each other to keep going. Those plateaus are rough but we can get throuh them.

Good for you, Cowgirl, for exercising more...even better, actually looking forward to it! That's great. You're much more likely to stick with it if it's something you really enjoy doing. I love walking also. I have to do something that I enjoy rather than just endure.

Miki

OH, I HATE PLATEAUS!!! I understand your frustration completely. I just recently broke out of a plateau of almost 2 months. I lost from 270 down to 220 fairly quickly and easily but I just couldn't seem to get past 220! What I was finally able to see was that some other really cool things were happening to my body even though I wasn't losing. I was sleeping so great, happy and energetic (I used to take about 4 naps a week, but I've not had a nap in over 3 months and haven't needed one), and my body was firming up even though I didn't really lose any inches..the jiggleys seemed to lessen! I think after we lose a larger amount of weight , our brains say "Whoa now, what are you doing???!!!" and hold on to every pound for dear life. I kicked my workouts up a notch (went from Walk Away the Pounds 3 Mile to the 4 Mile Express Challenge) and added another 24 oz of water and that finally seemed to do the trick. Either that or my brain finally told the rest of the body to let go of the pounds--either way it works for me!

It sounds like you are doing great---Keep up the good work!!!

Hugs to ya,
Crystal

Ugh don't I know it about plateaus. I have not been able to get below 260 yet. I think I might do it this month though with the walking. I didn't get to walk for several days because I was so wiped out from work and it was so hard to go out on the trail today. But little Pippin really wanted to go so I went and I'm glad idid. We did 2.25 miles today. I usually try for about 3 but my knee was really buggin me.
progress though I'm down 7 pounds and 3 more inches!

wow I just read your post and feel really happy for you MikiG!

That's great going and so inspiring and encouraging for people like me who struggle to lose even 1 pound! I have this constant yoyo thing happening I lose some then I gain some more.

I feel awful...but I guess persistence is the key...I like the idea of not doing any one diet just eating right and when you're hungry...it all makes sense!

All the best,
mygirl

P.S - I think I'll take my measurements too.

Finally!! After 2 months or more, I am finally off that stinkin plateau! Since May, I have fluctuated between 198 and 200, never any higher or lower than those. This past Thursday, after weighing 3 different times to be sure, I am now at 195!! Weighed again this morning just in case it was a fluke but nope, still 195. Hopefully now I'm back on the losing spree. Anyone else stuck like I was, dont give up! Sooner or later, the scale really does start moving again if you stay on track.

Miki

Woohoo sounds good! I figure if my scale doesn't start to move after a week...then I'm going to throw it in the wash behind me. (kidding!!) But I feel that way sometimes.

Noodles

I have been stuck like that for months at a time at least once a year. It seems like every time I drop 15 or 20 I get stuck at the next 10. Like right now. I was 259 last month. Then back up to 267 for two weeks then 165 and now back to 159. Grrrr. Of course it does not help that it has been raining almost every day I have time to walk this week so I can't get my excercise.
I have been at this now for 4 years. Takin the low slow route so it will stay off. Be patient and even if you slip and don't excercise or eat something really naughty just keep going. Never give up.

I know what you mean.. but 42lbs is def something! I know you hear about ppl losing weight quickly.. and it makes u think why cant i do that too? I know its easy to just give up.. trust me.. I feel like nothing is happening.. I think Ive only lost maybe 5-6lbs in the past month or so.... and it sucks because I have such along way to go (about 70 or so.....) and i feel like ill never get there.. because everytime i weigh myself nothing changes.. and its very frustrating.... but i think this board keeps me sane lol. i mean.. especally reading the success stories because its like well if they can do it so can i! and you can do it too!! youve already lost 42lbs and thats a lot!! if youve lost that much I know u can lose more!! good luck!!!!! and keep your head up!! when u feel like giving up, just remember you CAN do it too.. trust me I go through that too.... but I just keep thinking of how good ill feel.. once ive reached even 1/2 of my goal..... so try to be positive and know we're all behind you!!!

Cowgirl, how did u manage to go from 267 - 165??? thats amazing..! how long did that take even and what did you do?